Solved How to find out my computer's POWER SUPPLY?

[ArtG818]

This is my computer i would like to upgrade video card to GTX 850 will my comp handle it? How many watts does it have
thanks!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+...09&skuId=1244502&st=dell studio xps&cp=1&lp=1

 

[Ageeb]

I'm seeing 350W psu...

Dell XPS 8100

 

[Austin8868]

Yeah your computer should be able to handle it.

EDIT: Well i saw a comment saying it only had a 350 watt power supply unit. Im pretty sure your unit is to small. I would say an 850-1000 watt would be sufficient.

 

[ArtG818]

Is 350 watts enough for gtx 580?

 

[Lordbob75]

Is 350 watts enough for gtx 580?

Not even close.
Website states a minimum of a 600watt PSU.

~Lordbob

 

[Ageeb]

That wattage is low but quality is equally, if not more, important. Here's some food for thought.​

Power Supply FAQ
PSU 101: How A Power Supply Works
PSU 101: PC Power Supply Basics
How Power Supplies Are Rated

Wattage calculator to get ideas from...
Calculator

You can also get tools like this to determine how much wattage your overall system has to see how much headroom you have left. I suggest not running over 70% of your PSU depending on eficiency.

Lastly, if you power down your computer, and take off your side panel, there's a good chance a sticker will be on the power supply unit itself that has more detailed info about it.

 

[whs]

Did you ever open your Dell - everything inside Dell boxes is usually from the clearance rack. You should definitely get a decent PSU 650 or more watts. Make sure it is 80+ rated. I like Antec - e.g. this one. Make sure it fits into your box.

 

[bobkn]

This is my computer i would like to upgrade video card to GTX 850 will my comp handle it? How many watts does it have
thanks!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+...09&skuId=1244502&st=dell studio xps&cp=1&lp=1

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio8100/en/cs/cs_en.pdf

It's a 350W supply.

An nVidia GTX580 needs a 6 pin PCI-E power connector, plus an 8 pin. That means that the power draw of the card alone can be as much as 300W. eVGA recommends a minimum of 600W, with 42A available at +12V:

EVGA | Products 500 Series Family&sw=

There's no way that a 350W supply would support a GTX580.

I'm not sure, but I think that Dell may now use industry-standard PSUs. (That was not the case 15 years ago.) Here's a relatively inexpensive one that may serve:

Newegg.com - Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply (Antec Neo 620C).

 

[ArtG818]

Thanks alot guys

 

[Ageeb]

Thanks alot guys

No problem! Best of luck with your research and let us know what you decide on

 

[Dwarf]

One of the main problem with Dells and other manufacturers is that they use components that do the job and not much more. This means that the PSU, for example, is perfectly capable to power what is already in the system, but for an upgrade (particularly the addition/replacement of a graphics card) I would recommend that the PSU be replaced with one of a higher capacity (wattage). Normally, this is straight forward. However, Dell also uses/used proprietary PSUs that are designed specifically for them (motherboards are also designed to their specifications) and, as such, may or may not use standard ATX wiring on the main 20/24 pin plug (depending on the model/date of your computer).

 

[wilywombat]

Just a thought...Buy your power supply, not for what you want to power now (including your GTX 850), but give yourself a bit of headroom for possible expansion such as an additional hard drive. If you think you need a 650W now, go for maybe 750W.